Sleazy Congressional Riders Threaten the Environment

Legislators of both parties use and abuse the practice of attaching controversial proposals called riders to must-pass federal legislation such as appropriations bills. In these last two weeks before the House takes its summer recess, legislation is being railroaded right and left. Republicans, who have failed in several frontal assaults on laws protecting the environment, reproductive rights, and equal opportunity for gays and lesbians, are trying to chip away at them through these back-door machinations. On the environmental front, there are at least 20 riders attached to the Senate Interior Appropriations bill that activists say will destroy wilderness protections, pave over parks and promote clearcutting of forests. Meanwhile there is a rider attached to a bill in the House that would prohibit federal funds from going to localities that require companies to provide health benefits to unmarried domestic partners of employees.

Guests:

Anna Aurilio, a staff scientist with U.S. Public Interest Research Group Call: U.S. PIRG. (202)546-9707

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In a Democracy Now! special, we look at the acclaimed Broadway musical "Fun Home," which swept the Tony Awards last month. Composer Jeanine Tesori and lyricist Lisa Kron made history as the first female duo to win a Tony Award for Best Original Score. "Fun Home" is also the first-ever Broadway musical to feature a lesbian protagonist. The musical is based on the 2006 best-selling graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel, "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic." The memoir is a poignant exploration of family, memory, first love,...

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